Question

My 9-month-old baby has black fly bites on his forehead. The red spots have been there for three weeks, although they don't appear to be bothering him. What can I do to prevent this from happening again?

Answer

Some arthropod bite reactions may persist for weeks and, in some cases, even months. Prevention is important, as the bites may cause pain, itching, and the rare possibility of associated infectious diseases that are at times transmitted by the insects or develop after vigorous scratching. The most effective insect repellents are those containing the chemical N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, otherwise known as DEET. DEET protects against a broad spectrum of pests, including mosquitoes, fleas, gnats, chiggers, and ticks and is applied to exposed skin (avoiding the mouth or eyes). For children, the DEET concentration (shown on the label) in a repellent should be no greater than 10 percent. While the use of a small amount of DEET-containing insect repellent is probably safe for your son, it should be noted that it is not formally recommended for children under the age of 1 year. It's best to avoid situations that place your son at high risk for receiving bites.